Laurette Laramie ’60: SJC Distinguished Alumna
As most educators understand, the impact of a teacher's work is not always immediate, but rather flowers over time in accordance with the students' development. To many, not knowing the measure of one's life's work might prove a source of frustration. To others, the concept of reward is inconsequential to the goal of living a life of purpose and meaning. Laurette Laramie '60 belongs to the latter group. For 49 years she has taught and influenced countless students. Although she has never sought honors or rewards, we recognize Laurette today with the Mary deLourdes Kenney Award for outstanding achievements of distinction in the field of education. Over the years, many colleagues, students and professional organizations have recognized Laurette's classroom accomplishments. As many of her friends and colleagues noted in their nominations, "Laurette's life has been dedicated to the learning and the giving back that defines the Saint Joseph College experience."
"Fifty two years ago last month, I took two buses to Saint Joseph College. I had no idea as I entered campus what I was in store for: how well I would be launched and how long I would live the mission of Mercy. I am now in my 49th year of teaching, mostly in the field of History. The resources I bring to my classroom I attribute to Sister Consolata who taught me... Today, I publicly thank Saint Joseph College for giving me the education of a life time. Here, I learned that education is what you do for yourself, that it is not about how you make a living, but how you choose to live. The sense of community among the student body was nourishing then and has sustained me throughout my life. Our common bond was the Sisters of Mercy and our Saint Joseph College experience. The College opened us to all the possibilities of life and provided us an anchor, a place we can come home to on a day like this." - Laurette Laramie '60, accepting the Mary deLourdes Kenney Award
